Of course, LePage doesn't see it that way. He's optimistic the six-buck tax will raise $20 million a year, but will be offset by eliminating Dirigo, which costs $48 million. "The reality," said Bennett in an e-mail, "is Republicans are offering a significant tax reduction."

Not exactly. Most of Dirigo's budget comes from a fee charged to insurance companies. Unless those beneficent organizations opt to refund the savings to their policyholders, there won't be any payback for the public.

Rather than looting the bank accounts of those fortunate enough to have insurance or those unfortunate enough to have three-pack-a-day habits, there might be a simpler way to provide health care to folks intent on making themselves sick.

My plan relies on established precedents. Before you can buy alcohol, it's not uncommon to be asked to show proof you're at least 21. Before you can purchase a firearm, you have to be checked to see that you don't have a criminal record. Before you can drive a car, you're supposed to have a card showing you've bought liability insurance.

Let's apply that same principle to health care.

If you want a pack of smokes, you'll have to demonstrate to the clerk in the convenience store that you have sufficient health care to cover radiation, chemo, and hospice for whatever wretched period of time you have left.

Without that policy, you'll be quitting tobacco cold turkey, thereby reducing your potential medical expenses and making insurance more affordable.

You'll save money, and you can use the time you would have spent smoking to join me in practicing the one vice they'll never be able to tax:

SMILING FACES | November 03, 2014 In an attempt to ease the state’s severe cognitive-dissonance shortage, the arbiters of good taste have spent this election season beseeching candidates to practice both civility and sincerity.

REASON HIDDEN | October 24, 2014 Late last year, Michaud publicly acknowledged his homosexuality. The experts were quick to claim it wouldn’t be a big factor in the gubernatorial race.

SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE | October 16, 2014 Want to save the taxpayers of Maine over $60 million? It’s so simple even somebody with no political skills at all can do it.